Two on target

Dutch delight but French fluff Spanish practice

Created on 04-03-2010 at 00:00 AM

There was disappointment for Franck Ribéry but elation elsewhere in the ranks of Bayern’s current internationals after a busy night of friendly action in the build-up to this summer’s World Cup. Ribéry and his France team-mates lost at home to Spain for the first time in 42 years, but half-a-dozen FCB stars finished on the winning side, with two Munich men also notching up goals for their countries.

Returning to the France starting line-up for the first time since September last year, Franck Ribéry’s comeback went awry as European champions Spain chalked up a 2-0 victory in Paris. David Villa opened the scoring midway through the first half, before Sergio Ramos doubled the advantage in added time before the break. Ribéry gave way to Florent Malouda 15 minutes from the end.

FCB pair on duty for Dutch

In Amsterdam, Bayern skipper Mark van Bommel and his Munich team-mate Arjen Robben started for the Netherlands in a 2-1 victory over the USA. Dirk Kuyt put the men in orange ahead from the spot after 39 minutes, before Klaas Huntelaar, who replaced Robben for the second half, made it 2-0 on 72 minutes. Carlos Bocanegra pulled one back for the visitors two minutes from the end. Van Bommel was substituted after his side’s second goal.